Last Updated: March 4, References Approved. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed , times. Gardening tools used for trimming plants, pruning bushes, removing weeds, and digging soil should be disinfected regularly to prevent transmission of plant pests and diseases.
Before you begin the disinfection process, clean the tools to remove dirt, debris, and plant residue. This will ensure that the disinfectant contacts the entire surface of the tool. Then, spray the disinfectant of your choice on your tool, or soak the tool in the disinfectant. To disinfect your gardening tools, start by removing any dirt and debris with water. If the grime is caked on, use a stiff wire-bristle brush to remove the dirt and a paper towel dampened with disinfectant or paint thinner to remove any sticky residue.
Alternatively, try rubbing your tools down with disinfectant wipes, or soaking them in a commercial household disinfectant for a few minutes. For more tips from our Horticultural co-author, including how to disinfect tools when working with diseased plants, keep reading!
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Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Remove dirt and debris from tools with water. Before disinfecting tools, remove dirt and grime using a forceful stream of water.
Wash them beneath a strong spigot, or use a hose with a jet-stream setting. Clean tools are easier to use and disinfect. Some soils are difficult to wash off. Wipe away sap and resin using a disinfectant. If your tools have any sticky residue on them, such as sap or resin, wipe the affected tools with a cloth or paper towel dampened with a disinfectant.
Method 2. Disinfect your tools with a household cleaner. Commercial household disinfectants such as Lysol or Simple Green D can be used to disinfect your gardening tools. The advantage of these types of disinfectants is that they are relatively gentle on you and your tools compared to bleach or industrial cleansers. Fill a bucket with a household cleaner of your choice. Soak the tool in it for a couple minutes, then remove it.
Dip an old cloth in a bit of turpentine, lighter fluid, or Goo Gone. Wipe down the tool paying close attention to hinged areas. Before storing tools, they should be disinfected to kill bacteria and fungi that can cause problems. Mix a solution of two cups of chlorine bleach and one gallon of water in a bucket.
Submerge the tools and let them soak for 10 minutes. Rinse well and dry completely with an old cloth. Whether your tools are brand new or treasured favorites, some maintenance and care beyond cleaning can help them work better and last for many years. Most gardening chores are seasonal but even if you know you're going to be using the shovel or trowel or shears the next day, don't leave them outside in the garden.
After cleaning, return them to your storage area so they will remain dry and, hopefully, rust-free. To keep small trowels and hand-tools rust-free and easy to find, fill a large flower pot or bucket with sand and add one cup of vegetable oil. Mix well and then insert the metal ends of the tools into the oiled sand. If possible, hang larger tools from hooks or a pegboard to prevent warping of the handles and to keep metal components off the floor and dry.
If your tools have wooden handles, the wood will eventually begin to dry out, split, and loosen from the metal component. Once or twice a year, sand the handles with medium-grit sandpaper to remove rough spots and rub them with linseed oil. The oil adds a protective barrier to help repel water. Most wooden handles can be replaced by removing the metal component and installing a new handle. Any tool with a moving component like snips, shears, or pruners needs oil to keep moving parts working smoothly.
This can be done by placing a drop or two of machine oil on the hinged parts. It is also beneficial to take these tools apart once a year and rub down all of the components screws and bolts with machine oil. This helps remove any hard-to-see rust and mineral deposits. Any gardening tool with an edge—shovels, hoes, snips, pruners—will need to be sharpened occasionally.
Large blades and edges can be sharpened with a inch flat mill file and smaller, finer edges can be sharpened with a whetstone. The disadvantage is that little research has been done regarding their effectiveness against plant pathogens.
Additionally, household disinfectants are relatively expensive when compared to other disinfectants that can be used on horticultural tools. How you use household disinfectants will vary depending on what product you are using.
Generally you will want to apply a full strength spray or dip; always be sure to read the label first. Commercial household disinfectants are widely available at a variety of stores.
Chlorine bleach is inexpensive, effective, and easy to find. However, it is corrosive, can produce harmful fumes, and isn't as effective against viruses as some other products. The solution has a short lifespan—effectiveness is cut in half after two hours—so fresh batches should be made for each round of cleaning.
Rinse tools with clean water after soaking to prevent corrosion. The advantages of alcohol ethanol or isopropyl to sanitize your gardening tools is that it can be used as a wipe no soaking necessary , you don't have to rinse the product off, and it's immediately effective.
The disadvantage of alcohols? They're very flammable. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are widely available at a variety of stores.
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